An unprecedented fuel crisis has hit occupied Crimea. Gas stations on the peninsula have completely run out of petrol, while prices for the remaining fuel types have soared. Local Russian authorities say the shortage is due to reduced oil refining in Russia, which experts link to systematic Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries.
The problems began in mid-August, when the popular AI-95 petrol disappeared from gas stations, forcing many drivers to switch to the cheaper AI-92, often at the expense of their vehicles. Sergey Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of Crimea, promised that supplies would normalize by the end of September, but the situation has only worsened: by late September, most gas stations in Crimea were out of fuel.
Residents have started sharing information in online groups to find stations that still have petrol. Rights activists report serious difficulties for both private companies and state enterprises, where fuel is issued only for minimum needs. Many Crimeans are forced to rely on public transport, with minibuses overcrowded and taxis in short supply.
Russian authorities have promised that AI-95 petrol will be available within two days, and AI-92 within two weeks. They have not mentioned that the crisis was triggered by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries. Since early August, 16 out of 38 Russian refineries have been hit, some multiple times, according to the Financial Times.
Anatoly Tsurkin, head of the Russian “Crimea Freight Carriers Association,” says logistical routes for fuel deliveries proved inadequate, no alternative routes were sought, and lessons from previous shortages were ignored. This exacerbates the deficit and may lead to higher transportation costs from Russia to Crimea.
Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, added that Russia has been forced to use the Kerch Strait bridge to deliver fuel to Crimea.
Residents of the peninsula continue to live without petrol while waiting for supplies to resume.